The Sun Gone Wild

[guest1]

Magnetic Storm in Progress

A geomagnetic storm began on December 14 at 7:16 A.M. MST. An earlier solar flare on December 12, 7:40 P.M. EST from NOAA Region 930 produced strong radio blackouts (R3) and an associated moderate (S2) solar radiation storm. A large Earth-directed coronal mass ejection was also observed with this event, producing today’s geomagnetic storming. Strong to severe (G3 – G4) geomagnetic storming is expected to last through December.


Region 930 is a large sunspot group which is still rotating across the visible disk. Because of the current position of Region 930, additional activity has greater potential to quickly impact Earth. Agencies impacted by space weather storms should continue to closely monitor space weather conditions during the next four days.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, US Air Force, NASA, National Science Foundation, US Geological Survey, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions. More information is available at SEC’s Web site http://sec.noaa.gov



The storm is expected to generate aurora, or Northern Lights, as far south as the northern United States Thursday night.

Notes:

G4 Severe Geomagnetic Storm implies:


Power systems: possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems will mistakenly trip out key assets from the grid.
Spacecraft operations: may experience surface charging and tracking problems, corrections may be needed for orientation problems.
Other systems: induced pipeline currents affect preventive measures, HF radio propagation sporadic, satellite navigation degraded for hours, low-frequency radio navigation disrupted, and aurora has been seen as low as Alabama and northern California (typically 45° geomagnetic lat.)
G3 Strong Geomagnetic Storm Implies:

Power systems: voltage corrections may be required, false alarms triggered on some protection devices.
Spacecraft operations: surface charging may occur on satellite components, drag may increase on low-Earth-orbit satellites, and corrections may be needed for orientation problems.
Other systems: intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur, HF radio may be intermittent, and aurora has been seen as low as Illinois and Oregon (typically 50° geomagnetic lat.)R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout implies the following:

A wide area blackout of HF (High Frequency) radio communication, with a loss of radio contact for about an hour on sunlit side of Earth.
Low-frequency navigation signals are degraded for about an hour.

S2 (Moderate) Solar Radiation Storm implies the following:

Passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes may be exposed to elevated radiation risk.
Infrequent single-event upsets of satellite operations are possible.
Small effects on HF propagation through the polar regions, and navigation at polar cap locations are possibly affected.

More information on the Geomagnetic Storm, Radio Blackout and Solar Radiation Storm scales may be found at: http://sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/


Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center Boulder, Colorado, USA

SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY BULLETIN #06- 5 2006 December 14 at 10:04 a.m. MST (2006 December 14 1704 UTC)

Say, can some of you guys in the Northern areas get some video or pics of the Auroras if they pop up tonight? How cool

[rbrownie]

A large Earth-directed coronal mass ejection....

Had one of those last night. Felt reeeeaalllly good.....




..just wish someone else was around to enjoy it.

[jambon20]

Why a pic of Lootie's pancake with a story about the sun?

[rbrownie]

Originally Posted by jambon20

Why a pic of Lootie's pancake with a story about the sun?

Wow. Nice pick up.

Never even noticed. Cant wait to see in what horrid direction this thread goes.

[dreadlockgoalie]

So, what you're really saying is the sun just got excited?

[guest1]

The three of you are idiots.

[Goaliedad]

Unexpected at this part of the 11 year cycle, hope it isn't a killshot.

[goalerjones]

Originally Posted by Goaliedad

Unexpected at this part of the 11 year cycle, hope it isn't a killshot.

It looks like the inside of a lava lamp...AND YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD US ALL FOOLED...

[moving target]

I think that its a lovely thread Moto.

Don't let these bigoted neanderthals tell you otherwise

[Goaliedad]

No it's an ultrasound of someones intestines after eating Mexican.

[guest1]

Originally Posted by moving target

I think that its a lovely thread Moto.

Don't let these bigoted neanderthals tell you otherwise

This just in, Scientists say its A-OK to look directly at the sun to find the spots, so go out and take a nice long peek, you gimps.

[moving target]

Originally Posted by motoGoalie

This just in, Scientists say its A-OK to look directly at the sun to find the spots, so go out and take a nice long peek, you gimps.

....do you look at Uranus too?

[guest1]

Originally Posted by moving target

....do you look at Uranus too?

I'm not that flexible.

[rbrownie]

Originally Posted by motoGoalie

I'm not that flexible.

Really...


..You seem to be able to get your head up there pretty easily.

[guest1]

Originally Posted by rbrownie

Really...


..You seem to be able to get your head up there pretty easily.

Leave the BB.